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Environmental and Non‐Toxic New Radiation Shielding Materials Alternative to Lead: Preparation, Evaluation of Their Effectiveness on Gamma Attenuation Coefficients, and Investigation of Thermal Properties
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Polymer composites combining oxidized polyethylene wax with metal oxides were engineered as lead-free radiation shielding materials, with bismuth oxide at 50% loading showing superior gamma-ray absorption. The study demonstrates how engineering functional properties into polymer matrices can reduce reliance on toxic additives — a key consideration for designing safer plastic materials.
ABSTRACT In this study, composite materials were prepared using oxidized polyethylene wax and low‐density oxidized polyethylene with metal oxides—tungsten, bismuth, zinc, lead, and titanium—at varying concentrations (10%–50%). Characterization was performed using Fourier‐transformed infrared spectroscopy, x‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric/differential thermogravimetric analysis, and particle distribution analysis. Gamma ray linear attenuation coefficients ( μ ) were measured using a NaI(Tl) scintillation detector, while theoretical values were calculated via the XCOM platform. SEM results confirmed homogeneous dispersion of metal oxides in the polymer matrix without agglomeration. Radiation shielding parameters, such as half‐value layer, tenth‐value layer, and mean free path, were also calculated. The inclusion of high‐density, high atomic number oxides (e.g., Bi 2 O 3 : 8.90 g/cm 3 , Z = 83) aimed to enhance gamma ray interaction. Thermal analysis showed that increasing metal oxide content improved the composites' thermal stability. Among all samples, the 50% Bi 2 O 3 ‐low‐density oxidized polyethylene composite exhibited the highest gamma ray absorption and the lowest required shielding thickness, making it the most effective material.
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